Micro-evaporator

Abstract

A micro-evaporator is disclosed which is easy to manipulate and can be operated problem-free over a large temperature range. The micro-evaporator has micro-evaporator channels in a trapezoidal region, comprising an inlet region opening in the liquid feed chamber with a small diameter, and an outlet region opening into the vapor collecting chamber with a large diameter.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates to a micro-evaporator according to the preamble of claim 1[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Micro-evaporators are used to evaporate liquid media such as water, alcohols or alcohol / water mixtures, liquid gases or liquid alkanes for further processing. Such micro-evaporators are for example used in the fields of fuel cell engineering.[0005]Different designs of evaporators are known. So-called plate heat exchangers consist of corrugated steel plates provided with channels for transferring the liquid like filter presses. Resistant rubber seals hold the plates at a distance from each other and seal the channels of the two fluids from each other. Due to the rubber seals, the plate heat exchangers are restricted to a maximum temperature of 250° C. The two fluids flow in a concurrent or a countercurrent flow as thin layers alternating up or down through a series of chambers and contact each other on...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a micro-evaporator that can efficiently evaporate liquids at a high temperature range. The micro-evaporator has trapezoidal channels that are arranged in a fan-like manner, which allows for quick evaporation of the liquid in the feed chamber and prevents premature evaporation in the outlet area. The micro-evaporator is insensitive to parameter changes and can be positioned independently. The small dimensions of the micro-evaporator channels enable high transfer of heat and even evaporation of the liquid. The micro-evaporator channels have a constant cross-section over their entire length and can be produced by various methods such as electrical discharge machining, molding, or laser ablation. The vapor collection chamber has a larger volume than the liquid feed chamber and the means to heat the liquid can be located at least in the area above and / or below the micro-evaporator channels. The micro-evaporator has a high energy density and can be operated with carrier gas or chemical reactions. The micro-evaporator channels have a cross-section of 100 μm2 to 0.01 mm2 and can be designed in a compact way. The micro-evaporator can be produced in a plate design that simplifies production and allows for a modular design."

Problems solved by technology

Such evaporators are not compact and, when they are operated with heating gas, they have low power densities.

The disadvantage of this micro-evaporator is that the vapor bursts or vapor bubbles can arise if the optimum temperature range is not adjusted.

Such micro-evaporators therefore malfunction easily and cannot be flexibly used.

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